A new £25 million glass recycling facility in North Lanarkshire could give a boost to Scotch whisky makers.

The £25 million plant at Newhouse has been built by recycling company Viridor and is one of only three of its kind in the world.

It was opened by Scottish cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead MSP and is being tipped to improve the availability of high quality recycled glass for Scotch producers, enhancing the industry's green credentials.

It will reduce reliance on imported packaging materials and ensure 100% of Scottish packaging glass is fit for use to bottle Scotch.

Julie Hesketh-Laird, director of operational and technical affairs at the Scottish Whisky Association, said: "The opening of Newhouse assists the Scotch whisky industry by increasing the availability of high quality recycled glass.

"As glass accounts for the vast majority of the packaging of Scotch we welcome this supply chain innovation which advances glass recycling.

"Such developments help the industry in its commitment to sustainability and delivering on its environmental strategy."